Gothenburg Sweden Gets Volvo Electric Buses

The City of Gothenburg, Sweden will be getting noiseless, electric buses in 2015, through the launch of an ultramodern bus service. The new technology will help enable completely new possibilities for future public transport.

Jun 17, 2013

Buses powered entirely by electricity from renewable sources will become a part of Gothenburg’s public-transport system. The buses will be extremely fuel-efficient, silent, and completely emissions-free. Passengers onboard will have access to new technologies and at least one of the bus stops will be located indoors.

“This represents an entirely new mode of travel and will allow for the public-transport system to contribute to a more pleasant urban environment,” said Olof Persson, president and CEO of Volvo. “A silent and emissions-free public-transport system will enable the inclusion of locations in the city that are currently off limits. It is immensely satisfying to be able to launch this in our hometown, in cooperation with Region Västra Götaland and the City of Gothenburg,”

Sustainable social development is closely linked to the development of new transportation systems. The use of electric power not only places Gothenburg on the map in terms of sustainable and innovative solutions for public transport; the new bus service will also open up new possibilities in city and urban planning.

Commencing in 2015, the electric buses are to run between Johanneberg Science Park adjacent to Chalmers and Lindholmen Science Park in Hisingen.

“The electric bus service entails a new mode of public-transport system usage, which is highly positive for Gothenburg. It will highlight Gothenburg as a progressive city in terms of city planning. This is also in line with our prioritized objective of having Gothenburg reduce its climate impact to become a climate-neutral city, and of increasing sustainable travel,” explains Anneli Hulthén (Social Democrat), Chairman of the Municipal Board.

In addition to the electric buses, the cooperation also includes the creation and trial runs of new bus-stop solutions, traffic-routing systems, safety concepts, energy supply and business models. The hope is that the project, known as ElectriCity, will attract more commuters to use public transport and help clear the way for more, attractive public-transport solutions in the Västra Götaland region.